Torque wrench having self-adjustng adapter

ABSTRACT

A torque wrench is disclosed for use in rotating a range of different sized fasteners. The torque wrench may include an input end configured to receive a torsional input, and a gear train operatively driven to rotate by the torsional input. a driver connected to the gear train and a plurality of clamps disposed at least partially inside the driver. The clamps may be movable to radially engage a range of different sized fasteners by rotation of the driver in either of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. The torque wrench may further include a housing configured to enclose the gear train, the driver, and the clamps.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application based on andclaiming the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/488,097filed on Apr. 14, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a torque wrench and, moreparticularly, to a torque wrench having a self-adjusting adapter.

BACKGROUND

A torque wrench is a tool designed to exert torque on a fastener (e.g.,on a bolt head or nut having specially designed inner and/or outersurfaces) to loosen or tighten the fastener. In some embodiments, thetorque wrench is powered. For example, the torque wrench can behydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically powered. In otherexamples, the torque wrench is manually manipulated.

Conventional torque wrenches connect to the fastener via an adapter. Forexample, a hexagonal socket having an internal diameter corresponding toan external diameter of the fastener is temporarily connected to thetorque wrench and then placed over the fastener. The hexagonal socket isconfigured to internally receive the head of the fastener and inhibitrelative movement of the fastener during the application of torque bythe wrench. Sockets are available in many different sizes to accommodatedifferent sizes of fasteners.

Although conventional torque wrenches and socket-type adapters may beacceptable for some applications, they can also be problematic. Forexample, in order to be capable of accomplishing any task presented inthe field, a technician may be required to carry around a largeassortment of sockets of different sizes. This can be burdensome for thetechnician and expensive to stock and maintain. In addition, it can bedifficult to immediately match the correct socket to a given fastener,leading to a delay in removing or installing the fastener. And each timea new fastener is encountered, a new socket may be required to addressthe new fastener.

The torque wrench and adapter of the present disclosure solves one ormore of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the priorart.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a torque wrench. Thetorque wrench may include an input end configured to receive a torsionalinput, and a gear train operatively driven to rotate by the torsionalinput. The torque wrench may also include a driver connected to the geartrain and a plurality of clamps disposed at least partially inside thedriver. The clamps may be movable to radially engage a range ofdifferent sized fasteners by rotation of the driver in either of aclockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. The torque wrenchmay further include a housing configured to enclose the gear train, thedriver, and the clamps.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an adjustableadapter module for use with a torque wrench. The adjustable adaptermodule may include a driver configured to receive a rotational inputfrom the torque wrench. The adjustable adapter module may also include aplurality of clamps disposed at least partially inside the driver andmoveable to radially engage and lock onto a range of different sizedfasteners by rotation of the driver in either of a clockwise directionor a counterclockwise direction.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a torqueassembly. The torque assembly may include a wrench, an adjustableadapter module, and a retention assembly configured to retain theadjustable adapter module connected to the wrench. The adjustableadapter module may include a driver configured to transmit a rotationalinput received from the wrench to a plurality of integral lobes. Each ofthe plurality of integral lobes may have a clamp engaging end configuredto engage with a radially outermost end of one of the clamps. Each lobemay also have a pair of trailing ends. The clamp engaging end may belocated radially further from an axis of rotation than the trailingends. Further, each lobe may have a curved surface connecting the clampengaging end and the trailing ends. The adjustable adapter module mayfurther include a plurality of clamps disposed at least partially insidethe driver and engaged with the curved surfaces of the plurality ofintegral lobes. The plurality of clamps may be moveable by rotation ofthe driver to radially engage and lock onto a range of different sizedfasteners. The adjustable adapter module may additionally include aplurality of springs configured to bias the plurality of clamps awayfrom the different sized fasteners, and a guide having a plurality ofradially oriented channels configured to guide the plurality of clampsinto engagement with the different sized fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an cross-sectional illustration of an exemplary disclosedtorque wrench;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustration of the torque wrench of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustration of an exemplary adjustableadapter that may form a portion of the torque wrench of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of the adjustable adapter ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustration of an exemplary torque assemblyhaving an adjustable adapter module and a torque wrench; and

FIGS. 6-9 are cross-sectional illustrations of other exemplaryembodiments of the adjustable adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary torque wrench (“wrench”) 10 that can beused to loosen or tighten a fastener (e.g., a bolt having a head withinternal and/or external engagement features—shown only in FIG. 4).Wrench 10 may generally be divided into an input end 12 and an outputend 14. Input end 12 may be configured to receive a torsional input(e.g., from a manually operated lever or from an electric, hydraulic, orpneumatic motor), which is then transformed into a torsional output atoutput end 14. The torsional input may be generally aligned with a firstaxis 16 of wrench 10, while the torsional output may be generallyaligned with a second axis 18 that is substantially (e.g., within 0-10°)orthogonal to first axis 18. Input end 12 may include an engagementinterface (e.g., a socket; a splined, torx, or square stub shaft; etc.)20 configured to mate with a corresponding engagement interface of thelever or motor and receive the torsional input.

In one embodiment, input end 12 of wrench 10 may not mate directly withthe lever or motor described above. Instead, an optional engagement unit(not shown) may be disposed between wrench 10 and the lever or motor.The engagement unit may be configured to selectively create a mechanicalcoupling between input end 12 and the lever or motor, for example basedon a speed, pressure, flow rate, power, and/or other parameterassociated with wrench 10 and/or the lever or motor. In one embodiment,the mechanical coupling of the engagement unit could be selectivelyinterrupted, such that a hammering effect is created within wrench 10that helps to loosen and/or tighten a corresponding fastener.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wrench 10 may be assembly of multipledifferent components that cooperate to transfer torque received at inputend 12 to output end 14. These components may include, among otherthings, a gear train 22, an adjustable adapter 24, a housing 26configured to support and enclose gear train 22 and adjustable adapter24, and a variety of hardware that retains and seals gear train 22 andadjustable adapter 24 within housing 26.

Gear train 22 may include a pinion gear 28 and a crown gear 30. Piniongear 28 may be formed at an end of a shaft 32 that extends to engagementinterface 20, and may include a plurality of teeth that engage and drivecorresponding teeth of crown gear 30. In the disclosed embodiment, theteeth of pinion gear 28 and crown gear 30 are beveled, such that piniongear 28 may rotate about axis 16 while crown gear 30 rotates about axis18. It is contemplated that the teeth of these gears could be straightand have a conical pitch (e.g., pinion gear 28 could be a straight bevelgear), curved and have a conical pitch (e.g., pinion gear 28 could be aspiral bevel gear), or curved and have a hypoid pitch (e.g., pinion gear28 could be a hypoid bevel gear), as desired.

Pinion gear 28 may be supported within housing 26 by way of a bearingblock 38. For example, a bearing (e.g., bushing, needle bearing, rollerbearing, etc.) 39 may be disposed within bearing block 38 and configuredto slidingly receive shaft 32 in an axial direction and to supportrotation of shaft 32. One or more seals (e.g., O-rings or gaskets) 40and/or retainers (e.g., circlips, snaprings, etc.) 42 may be used toseal and/or retain bearing 39 and/or shaft 32 in place within housing26.

Crown gear 30 may have teeth extending toward an outer annularperiphery, and include a central opening 46 with engagement features(e.g., internal splines, cogs, gear teeth, etc.) 48 formed therein.Features 48 may be configured to engage corresponding features 50 ofadjustable adapter 24. A shoulder 52 may surround opening 46 at a back(i.e., non-toothed) side of crown gear 30 and function to position andsupport rotation of crown gear 30 within housing 26. A bushing 54 may beplaced against the back side of crown gear 30 and around shoulder 52,and include a step that passes through a corresponding opening withinhousing 26. A seal (e.g., O-rings or gaskets) 56 may be annularlysandwiched between bushing 54 and shoulder 52, and a retainer (e.g., acirclip, snapring, etc.) 58 may engage a corresponding groove inshoulder 52 to retain crown gear 30 in place.

A bushing 60 may be placed around adjustable adapter 24 at an oppositeside of wrench 10, and a seal (e.g., O-rings or gaskets) 62 may beannularly sandwiched between housing 26 and adjustable adapter 24. Inthe example of FIG. 1, adjustable adapter 24 may have an axial length Lsufficient to provide internal clearance for bushing 60 around piniongear 28 inside of housing 26. In particular, in this example, adjustableadapter 24 may function at least partially as a spacer that maintains adesired distance between bushing 60 and pinion gear 28.

A retaining sub-assembly (“sub-assembly”) 64 may be used, in someembodiments, at the closed or non-accessible side of wrench 10 to retainconnection between adjustable adapter 24 and crown gear 30. As shown inFIG. 2, sub-assembly 64 may include, among other things, a lockinghousing (“housing”) 65, a pin 66, a spring 67, a clip 68, and one ormore balls 69. Housing 65 may be generally cylindrical and hollow,having a shaft that is received within adjustable adapter 24, and anannular flange located at an exposed end that rests against shoulder 52of crown gear 30. Pin 66 may pass a distance through the shaft ofhousing 65, and clip 68 may engage the protruding end to inhibitseparation of pin 66 from housing 65. Spring 67 may be trapped inside ofthe shaft of housing 65, between an internal lip of the shaft of housing65 and an external shoulder of pin 66. In this configuration, pin 66 maybe pushed downward against a bias of spring 67, and the bias may urgepin 66 out of housing 65. However, pin 66 may not leave housing 65 dueto the connection with clip 68. Balls 69 may rest in pockets co-formedby external recesses of pin 66 and internal recesses of housing 65. Whensub-assembly 64 is placed into an exposed end of adjustable adapter 24,balls 69 may be pushed outward and into engagement with correspondingrecesses inside adjustable adapter 24, such that a mechanicalinterference is created between balls 69, internal walls of adjustableadapter 24, and walls of housing 65.

Housing 26 of wrench 10 may also be an assembly of multiple components.The components of housing 26 may include among other things, first andsecond plates 70, 72 oriented in opposition to each other, and a shroud74 that wraps around edges of plates 70, 72 to surround and encloseadjustable adapter 24 and gear train 22. Each of plates 70, 72 may begenerally rectangular at input end 12 to match a size and shape ofbearing block 38, and generally rounded and concentric with crown gear30 at output end 14. The openings through which bushing 52 andadjustable adapter 24 pass may be located at a general center of therounded portions of plates 70, 72. Any number of fasteners 76 may beused to connect shroud 74 to the edges of plates 70, 72 and/or toconnect plates 70, 72 to bearing block 38.

In one embodiment, wrench 10 may be sealed from the environment at anelevated or positive pressure. For example, one or more fittings (e.g.,one-way valves) 78 may be connected to housing 26 (e.g., to one or moreboth of plates 70, 72) and configured to admit a lubricant (e.g.,grease) into housing 26 without allowing escape of the lubricant. Thelubricant may be pressurized, such that external contaminates (e.g.,water, air, debris, etc.) do not enter housing 26. This may allow wrench10 to be operated in harsh conditions (e.g., under water or incontaminated environments) without undue effects. The sealed nature ofwrench 10, combined with an inherent low rotational speed andtemperature, may also reduce maintenance requirements. In particular,the grease may be retained inside wrench 10 for a life of wrench 10without significant degradation (e.g., because of the clean environmentinside of sealed housing 26).

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of adjustable adapter24. As shown in these figures, adjustable adapter 24 may be an assemblyof components that function to engage and rotate an associated fastener,as crown gear 30 (referring to FIGS. 1 and 2) is rotated inside ofwrench 10. These components may include, among other things, a driver80, a guide 82, and a plurality of clamps 84 that are moved by driver 80into guided contact with the head of the fastener.

Driver 80 may be generally cylindrical and hollow, having an open end 86and an opposing closed end 88. Features 50 of driver 80, which aredescribed above as engaging features 48 of crown gear 30 (referring toFIGS. 1 and 2), may protrude in a normal direction from an outer axialsurface at closed end 88. A plurality of (e.g., six) arcuate lobes oropposite inclined wedges 90 may extend from an inner axial surface ofdriver 80 toward open end 86. As shown in FIG. 4, lobes 90 may beequally distributed around an inner periphery of driver 80, and each mayinclude a leading end 92 located radially further from axis 18 and atrailing end 94 located radially closer to axis 18. A smooth innerannular surface may connect leading end 92 to trailing end 94. With thisconfiguration, a rotation of crown gear 30 (referring to FIGS. 1 and 2)may result in a corresponding rotation of driver 80 and lobes 90. Itshould be noted that a radial offset between leading and trailing ends92, 94, as well as an arc-length of the surface connecting thesefeatures, may be adjustable and tailored to accommodate a specificsize-range of fasteners accepted by adjustable adapter 24 and/or a speedof fastener engagement that may be needed for specific applications.

In some embodiments, lobes 90 may be integrally formed with driver 80(e.g., cast, forged, and/or machined as a monolithic structure) from thesame material. This may be a low-cost way to fabricate driver 80 andlobes 90. However, in other embodiments, lobes 90 may be fabricatedseparately from the same or different material. Separate fabricationcould allow for simple replacement of worn lobes 90, reorientation oflobes 90, and/or lobes made from a specialized material (e.g., from aharder and/or low-friction material).

Guide 82 may also be generally cylindrical and hollow, having a firstopen end 96 and an opposing second open end 98. An opening at first end96 may be larger than an opening at second end 98. First end 96 may bereceived within driver 80 (e.g., within an annular space locatedradially outward of lobes 90). Second end 98 may be configured toreceive the associated fastener that is to be loosened or tightened. Aplurality of radially oriented channels 100 may be distributed around aninner axial surface of guide 82 and extend radially from an innerperiphery of guide 82 to the opening at second end 98. Each channel 100may have a width sufficient to slidingly receive a corresponding clamp84.

A post 102 may be mounted to guide 82 at an outer end of each channel100, and a biasing element (e.g., a spring) 104 may engage post 102. Aswill be described in more detail below, spring 104 may bias thecorresponding clamp 84 radially outward and away from the head of thefastener.

Clamp 84 may be a generally elongated cuboid configured to slide withchannel 100 of guide 82 when moved by lobe 90 of driver 80. Each clamp84 may include a generally rounded surface 106 at an outer-most end, anda generally flat surface 108 at an inner-most end. Surface 106 may rideon the arcuate inner annular surface of lobe 90, while surface 108 mayengage a corresponding flat land of the bolt head. With thisconfiguration, as driver 80 is rotated by crown gear 30 (referring toFIGS. 1 and 2), lobe 90 may move from engagement with rounded surface106 at leading end 92 to engagement with rounded surface 106 at trailingend 94. This operation, due to the radial offset between leading andtrailing ends 92, 94, may force clamp 84 to slide radially inward withinchannel 100 of guide 82 until surface 108 engages the flat land of thebolt head. A post 110 may be mounted to each clamp 84 adjacent surface106, and spring 104 may engage post 110, such that spring 104 pullsclamp 84 back radially outward as lobe 90 is rotated away from clamp 84(i.e., from trailing end 94 back to leading end 92). In someembodiments, clamp 84 may be recessed at post 110 (e.g., at a surface ofclamp 84 adjacent the inner axial surface of guide 82) to provideclearance for post 110 and/or spring 104. It is also contemplated thatin some exemplary embodiments, lobe 90 may engage with rounded surface106 of clamp 84 indirectly. For example, a bushing (not shown) orbearing (not shown) may be disposed about post 110. Lobe 90 may engagewith an outer surface of the bushing or bearing, which may in turnengage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84.

In some embodiments, adjustable adapter 24 may itself be sealed from itsenvironment and/or from the rest of wrench 10 in the same mannerdescribed above regarding wrench 10. For example, a seal 116 may bedisposed between driver 80 and guide 82. The lubricant may bepressurized inside of adjustable adapter, such that externalcontaminates (e.g., water, air, debris, etc.) do not enter adjustableadapter 24. This may allow adjustable adapter 24 to be removed fromwrench 10, reoriented, and/or used with a different wrench 10 withoutundue effects caused by external contamination.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of wrench 10 and adjustableadapter 24. In this embodiment, adjustable adapter 24 may be a separateand stand-alone module that can be selectively used with wrench 10 orwith another tool (e.g., a manual wrench or lever—not shown). Like thepreviously described embodiment, adjustable adapter 24 of FIG. 5 mayinclude driver 80, guide 82, clamps 84, posts 102, springs 104, andposts 110. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, bushing 60 may not berequired; guide 82 may not be mounted within plate 70 of wrench housing26; and features 48 of crown gear 30 may be male and protrude intoclosed end 88 of driver 80 to engage corresponding female features (notshown). In addition, an optional retention assembly 112 (e.g., anassembly substantially identical to retention assembly 64 describedabove) may be used to retain connection between wrench 10 and adjustableadapter 24).

In some embodiments, wrench 10 and adjustable adapter 24 may be usedwith another module, if desired. For example, one or more torquemultiplier modules 114 may be disposed between wrench 10 and adjustableadapter 24. Torque multiplier module 114 may be configured to receive atorque input from wrench 10, increase the torque, and provide theincreased torque to adjustable adapter 24. In this embodiment, thevarious modules may be stacked on top of each other, and one or moreretention assemblies 112 may be used to hold the stack together.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of adjustable adapter 24. As illustrated in FIG. 6, aplurality of (e.g., six) arcuate lobes or opposite inclined wedges 120may extend from an inner axial surface of driver 80 toward open end 86(see FIG. 3). Lobes 120 may be equally distributed around an innerperiphery of driver 80. Each lobe 120 may include a clamp engaging end122 and a pair of trailing ends 94. Clamp engaging end 122 may belocated radially further from axis 18 relative to trailing ends 94located radially closer to axis 18. A smooth inner annular surface 124may connect clamp engaging end 122 and trailing ends 94. Annular surface124 may be configured to engage with radially outermost end 126 of clamp84. With this configuration, a rotation of crown gear 30 (referring toFIGS. 1 and 2) may result in a corresponding rotation of driver 80 andlobes 120, which may cause lobes 120 to drive clamps 84 radially inwardto engage with a fastener. Clamp engaging end 122 may be a radiallyoutermost portion of annular surface 124 that may initially engage withrounded surface 106 of clamp 84 when driver 80 and lobes 120 commencerotation in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. As driver 80and lobes 120 continue to rotate, additional portions of annular surface124 may engage rounded surface 106 to drive clamp 84 radially inward. Itshould be noted that a radial offset between trailing ends 94 and clampengaging end 122, as well as an arc-length of annular surface 124connecting these features, may be adjustable and tailored to accommodatea specific size-range of fasteners accepted by adjustable adapter 24and/or a speed of fastener engagement that may be needed for specificapplications. As discussed above with respect to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that in some exemplaryembodiments, lobes 120 may engage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84indirectly. For example, a bushing (not shown) or bearing (not shown)may be disposed about post 110. Annular surfaces 124 of lobes 120 mayengage with an outer surface of the bushing or bearing, which may inturn engage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84.

In one exemplary embodiment, lobes 120 may be integrally formed withdriver 80 (e.g., cast, forged, and/or machined as a monolithicstructure) from the same material. This may be a low-cost way tofabricate driver 80 and lobes 120. In other exemplary embodiments,however, lobes 120 may be fabricated separately from the same ordifferent material, and may be attached to driver 80 via one or morefasteners (not shown).

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of adjustable adapter 24. The embodiment of adapter 24illustrated in FIG. 7 includes several features similar to those alreadydescribed above with respect to adapter 24 of FIG. 6. Therefore,differences between the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 are highlighted inthe following description and a description of the similar features isomitted. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of (e.g., six) left sidelobes 132 and right side lobes 134 may extend from an inner axialsurface of driver 80 toward open end 86 (see FIG. 3). Left and rightside lobes 132, 134 may be circumferentially arranged such that eachleft side lobe 132 may be disposed between a pair of right side lobes134 and vice-versa.

Each left side lobe 132 may extend from first trailing end 136 to firstclamp engaging end 138. Each right side lobe 134 may similarly extendfrom second trailing end 140 to second clamp engaging end 142. First andsecond clamp engaging ends 138, 142 may be located radially further fromaxis 18 relative to first and second trailing ends 136, 140. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, first and second clamp engaging ends 138, 142 maybe disposed adjacent a radially outermost end 126 of each clamp 84.First clamp engaging end 138 of left side lobe 132 may becircumferentially spaced apart from second clamp engaging end 142 ofright side lobe 134. Furthermore, second trailing end 140 of a rightside lobe 134 may be circumferentially spaced apart from first trailingend 136 of an adjacently disposed left side lobe 132.

Each left side lobe 132 may include inner annular surface 144, which mayconnect first trailing end 136 and first clamp engaging end 140.Similarly, each right side lobe 134 may include inner annular surface146, which may connect second trailing end 140 and second clamp engagingend 142. First and second clamp engaging ends 138, 142 may be radiallyoutermost portions of annular surfaces 144, 146, respectively, which mayinitially engage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84 when driver 80 andleft and right side lobes 132, 134 commence rotation in a clockwise or acounterclockwise direction. As discussed above with respect to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that in someexemplary embodiments, left side and right side lobes 132, 134 mayengage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84 indirectly. For example, abushing (not shown) or bearing (not shown) may be disposed about post110. Annular surfaces 144, 146 of left side and right side lobes 132,134, respectively, may engage with an outer surface of the bushing orbearing, which may in turn engage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84.

With this configuration, a rotation of crown gear 30 (referring to FIGS.1 and 2) may result in a corresponding rotation of driver 80, and leftand right side lobes 132, 134, which may cause left or right side lobes132, 134 to drive clamps 84 radially inward to engage with a fastener.For example, as driver 80, and left and right side lobes 132, 134 rotatein a clockwise direction, annular surfaces 144 of left side lobes 132may engage with rounded surfaces 106 of clamps 84 to drive clamps 84radially inward. Likewise, as driver 80, and lobes 132, 134 rotate in acounterclockwise direction, annular surfaces 146 of right side lobes 134may engage with rounded surfaces 106 of clamps 84 to drive clamps 84radially inward. Thus, left and right side lobes 132, 134 may allowclamps 84 to be engaged with a fastener regardless of a direction ofrotation of driver 80, and lobes 132, 134.

In one exemplary embodiment, left and right side lobes 132, 134 may beintegrally formed with driver 80 as a monolithic structure from the samematerial. This may be a low-cost way to fabricate driver 80 and lobes132, 134. However, in other embodiments, left and right side lobes 132,134 may be fabricated separately from the same or different material,and may be attached to driver 80 via one or more fasteners (not shown).Separate fabrication could allow for simple replacement of worn left andright side lobes 132, 134 and/or may allow for use of lobes 132, 134made from a specialized material (e.g., from a harder and/orlow-friction material).

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of adjustable adapter 24. The embodiment of adapter 24illustrated in FIG. 8 includes several features similar to those alreadydescribed above with respect to adapter 24 of FIGS. 6 and 7. Therefore,differences between the embodiment of FIG. 8 relative to the embodimentsof FIGS. 6 and 7 are highlighted in the following description and adescription of the similar features is omitted. As illustrated in FIG.8, a plurality of (e.g., six) arcuate lobes or opposite inclined wedges150 may extend from an inner axial surface of driver 80 toward open end86 (see FIG. 3). Lobes 150 may be equally distributed around an innerperiphery of driver 80.

Each lobe 150 may extend from first trailing end 136 to second trailingend 140 with clamp engaging end 122 disposed between the first andsecond trailing ends 136, 140. First and second trailing ends 136 and140 may be located radially nearer to axis 18 as compared to clampengaging end 122. A smooth inner annular surface 124 may connect firsttrailing end 136, clamp engaging end 122, and second trailing end 140.Annular surface 124 may be configured to engage with radially outermostend 126 of clamp 84. Clamp engaging end 122 may be a radially outermostportion of annular surface 124 that may initially engage with roundedsurface 106 of clamp 84 when driver 80 and lobes 150 commence rotationin a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. As driver 80 and lobes150 continue to rotate, additional portions of annular surface 124 mayengage rounded surface 106 to drive clamp 84 radially inward. Asdiscussed above with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, itis contemplated that in some exemplary embodiments, lobes 150 may engagewith rounded surface 106 of clamp 84 indirectly. For example, a bushing(not shown) or bearing (not shown) may be disposed about post 110.Annular surfaces 124 of lobes 150 may engage with an outer surface ofthe bushing or bearing, which may in turn engage with rounded surface106 of clamp 84.

A comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8 suggests that lobes 150 may be formed byconnecting left side lobe 132 and right side lobe 134 to form anintegral lobe 150. Thus for example, lobe 150 may be obtained byconnecting adjacently located first and second clamp engaging ends 138,142 of left side and right side lobes 132, 134, respectively (see FIG.7). As also illustrated in FIG. 8, adjacent lobes 150 may becircumferentially spaced apart from each other near adjacently locatedtrailing ends 136, 140 (shown in FIG. 7). With this configuration, arotation of crown gear 30 (referring to FIGS. 1 and 2) may result in acorresponding rotation of driver 80 and lobes 150, which may cause lobes150 to drive clamps 84 radially inward to engage with a fastener.

In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 8, lobes 150 may beintegrally formed with driver 80 as a monolithic structure from the samematerial. This may be a low-cost way to fabricate driver 80 and lobes150. However, in other embodiments, lobes 150 may be fabricatedseparately from the same or different material, and may be attached todriver 80 via one or more fasteners (not shown). Separate fabricationcould allow for simple replacement of worn lobes 150 and/or may allowfor use of lobes 150 made from a specialized material (e.g., from aharder and/or low-friction material).

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of adjustable adapter 24. The embodiment of adapter 24illustrated in FIG. 9 includes several features similar to those alreadydescribed above with respect to adapter 24 of FIGS. 6-8. Therefore,differences between the embodiments of FIG. 9 and the embodiments ofFIGS. 6-8 are highlighted in the following description and a descriptionof the similar features is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 9, aplurality of (e.g., six) arcuate lobes or opposite inclined wedges 160may extend from an inner axial surface of driver 80 toward open end 86(see FIG. 3). Lobes 160 may be equally distributed around an innerperiphery of driver 80.

Each lobe 160 may extend from first clamp engaging end 138 to secondclamp engaging end 142 with trailing end 94 disposed between first andsecond clamp engaging ends 138, 140. First and second clamp engagingends 138 and 142 may be located radially further from axis 18 ascompared to trailing end 94. A smooth inner annular surface 162 mayconnect first clamp engaging end 138 and trailing end 94. Likewise, asmooth inner annular 164 may connect second clamp engaging end 142 andtrailing end 94. Annular surface 162 may be configured to engage withradially outermost end 126 of clamp 84 when driver 80 and lobes 160commence rotation in a clockwise direction. Likewise, annular surface164 may be configured to engage with radially outermost end 126 of clamp84 when driver 80 and lobes 160 commence rotation in a counterclockwisedirection. First and second clamp engaging ends 138, 142 may be radiallyoutermost portions of annular surfaces 162, 164, respectively. First andsecond clamp engaging ends may initially engage with rounded surface 106of clamp 84 when driver 80 and lobes 160 commence rotation in aclockwise or a counterclockwise direction, respectively. As driver 80and lobes 160 continue to rotate, additional portions of annularsurfaces 162 or 164 may engage rounded surface 106 to drive clamp 84radially inward. As discussed above with respect to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that in some exemplaryembodiments, lobes 160 may engage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84indirectly. For example, a bushing (not shown) or bearing (not shown)may be disposed about post 110. Annular surfaces 162, 164 of lobes 160may engage with an outer surface of the bushing or bearing, which may inturn engage with rounded surface 106 of clamp 84.

A comparison of FIGS. 7 and 9 suggests that lobes 160 may be formed byconnecting left side lobe 132 and right side lobe 134 to form anintegral lobe 160. Thus for example, lobe 160 may be obtained byconnecting adjacently located first and second trailing ends 136, 140 ofadjacently located left side and right side lobes 132, 134, respectively(see FIG. 7). As also illustrated in FIG. 9, adjacent lobes 160 may becircumferentially spaced apart from each other near adjacently locatedfirst and second clamp engaging ends 138, 142 (shown in FIG. 7).

In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 9, lobes 160 may beintegrally formed with driver 80 as a monolithic structure from the samematerial. This may be a low-cost way to fabricate driver 80 and lobes160. However, in other embodiments, lobes 160 may be fabricatedseparately from the same or different material, and may be attached todriver 80 via one or more fasteners (not shown). Separate fabricationcould allow for simple replacement of worn lobes 160 and/or may allowfor use of lobes 160 made from a specialized material (e.g., from aharder and/or low-friction material).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The torque wrench and adjustable adapter of the present disclosure havewide application in many different industries. The disclosed torquewrench and adjustable adapter may be used anywhere that a range ofdifferent-sized fasteners are to be loosened or tightened withhigh-levels of torque and/or at high speed without having to usemultiple different adapters. For example, the disclosed torque wrenchand adjustable adapter may be used in the oil and gas industry to joinsegments of a pipeline together. Operation of wrench 10 and adjustableadapter 24 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

To loosen and/or tighten a fastener, the opening of guide 82 at end 98may be placed over the head of the fastener. Driver 80 should already berotated to its starting position prior to placement over the fastener,such that the arcuate inner annular surfaces of lobes 90 are engagedwith clamps 84 at leading end 92 (shown in FIG. 4). This may help ensurethat clamps 84 are pulled by springs 104 within channels 100 to theirfurthest apart positions. Adjustable adapter 24 should be capable ofreceiving a largest fastener within its operational range at this time.

If adjustable adapter 24 is internal to wrench 10, torque may now beapplied to input end 12 of wrench 10. If adjustable adapter 24 is aseparate and stand-alone module, adjustable adapter 24 may be connectedto wrench 10 via retention assembly 112, after which the torque may beapplied to input end 12 of wrench 10. It is also contemplated thatadjustable adapter 24 may first be connected to wrench 10, and thenplaced over the fastener head, if desired. The applied torque may causepinion gear 28 to rotate about axis 16 and generate a correspondingrotation of crown gear 30 about axis 18 (referring to FIG. 1). Therotation of crown gear 30 may be transmitted to driver 80 via features48 and 50. As driver 80 is rotated, lobes 90, 120, 132 and 134, 150, or160 may also be caused to rotate such that respective arcuate innerannular surfaces slide along the corresponding curved surfaces 106 ofclamps 84 toward the trailing end 94. Due to the radial offset betweenleading end 92 and trailing end 94, clamps 84 may be caused to slideradially inward within channels 100 until end surfaces 108 engagecorresponding flat lands of the bolt head. The bolt head may becomelocked within adjustable adapter 24 at this point in time.

After the bolt head becomes locked within adjustable adapter 24,additional torque applied to wrench 10 may be transmitted through driver80, lobes 90, 120, 132, 134, 150, or 160, and clamps 84 to the fastener.Depending on the orientation of lobes 90 within driver 80 and thedirection of the torque, the torque may result in a correspondingloosening or tightening of the fastener. To achieve an opposite effect,an adjustable adapter 24 having an opposite orientation of lobes 90 maybe required. It is contemplated that adjustable adapters 24 may bededicated to only loosening or to only tightening. It is alsocontemplated that lobes 90 may be removable from adjustable adapter 24,such that they can be reoriented in a desired manner to achieve desiredloosening or tightening. Alternatively, an adjustable adapter 24 havinglobes 120, 132 and 134, 150, or 160 may be used to turn the fastener ineither a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. Using an adjustableadapter 24, having lobes 120, 132 and 134, 150, or 160, may allow use ofa single adapter configuration for both tightening and looseningfasteners without having to make changes to the adapter, which in turnmay reduce an amount of time and effort required to turn the fasteners.Furthermore, a technician using an adjustable adapter 24, having lobes120, 132 and 134, 150, or 160, may not need to carry additionalcomponents (e.g. reorientable/reversible lobes) and/or tools toreconfigure the adapter before turning the fasteners.

After the fastener has been loosened or tightened, the torque applied towrench 10 may be reversed. This reversal may cause pinion gear 28 torotate about axis 16 in an opposite direction and generate acorresponding opposite rotation of crown gear 30 about axis 18(referring to FIG. 1). The opposite rotation of crown gear 30 may betransmitted to driver 80 via features 48 and 50. As driver 80 is rotatedin the opposite direction, lobes 90 may also be caused to rotate in theopposite direction such that the arcuate inner annular surfaces slidealong the corresponding curved surfaces 106 of clamps 84 toward theleading end 92. Due to the radial offset between leading end 92 andtrailing end 94, clamps 84 may be allowed to slide radially outwardwithin channels 100 under the bias of springs 104, allowing surfaces 108to move away from the corresponding flat lands of the bolt head. Thebolt head may become unlocked within adjustable adapter 24 at this pointin time, and adjustable adapter 24 and wrench 10 may be removed from thefastener.

When using adapter 24 including lobes 120, 132 and 134, 150, or 160,opposite rotation of crown gear 30 may initially cause clamps 84 toslide radially outward within channels 100 under the bias of springs104, allowing surfaces 108 to move away from the corresponding flatlands of the bolt head. However, continued opposite rotation of crowngear 30 may cause clamps 84 to again slide radially inward withinchannels 100 and engage with the flats of the fastener. Therefore, toremove wrench 10 from the fastener, it may be helpful to ensure thatclamp engaging ends 122 of lobes 120 and 150, or first and second clampengaging ends 138, 142 of lobes 132 and 134, or 160 are disposedadjacent radially outermost ends 126 of clamps 84. In thisconfiguration, the bolt head may become unlocked within adjustableadapter 24, allowing adjustable adapter 24 and wrench 10 to be removedfrom the fastener.

The disclosed torque wrench and adjustable adapter may be versatile.Specifically, the disclosed torque wrench, via the adjustable adapter,may be used to loosen and/or tighten any fastener within its given sizerange. This may allow for a technician to address a greater variety ofsituations with a reduced amount of equipment. The increased capacitymay increase profit and efficiency, while the reduced amount ofequipment may reduce owning and operating costs.

The disclosed torque wrench and adjustable adapter may be capable ofreliably producing high-levels of torque. In particular, the disclosedgear train inside of the wrench may allow for efficient torquetransmission with little or no backlash.

Finally, the disclosed torque wrench and adjustable adapter may besimple and low-cost to maintain. In particular, because the disclosedtorque wrench and adjustable adapter may be sealed and pressurized,these tools may not need to be opened, cleaned, and/or lubricatedfrequently. In addition, the sealed and pressurized nature of thedisclosed torque wrench and adjustable adapter may allow for usage inlocations and/or conditions (e.g., underwater and/or in contaminatedenvironments) not heretofore possible.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the torque wrench andadjustable adapter of the present disclosure without departing from thescope of the disclosure. Other embodiments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the torque wrench and adjustable adapter disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A torque wrench, comprising: an input end configured to receive a torsional input; a gear train operatively driven to rotate by the torsional input; a driver connected to the gear train; a plurality of clamps disposed at least partially inside the driver, the clamps being movable to radially engage a range of different sized fasteners by rotation of the driver in either of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction; and a housing configured to enclose the gear train, the driver, and the clamps.
 2. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the driver includes a plurality of lobes configured to engage directly or indirectly with the plurality of clamps.
 3. The torque wrench of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of lobes includes: a clamp engaging end configured to engage with a radially outermost end of one of the clamps; and a pair of trailing ends, the clamp engaging end being located radially further from an axis of rotation than the trailing ends.
 4. The torque wrench of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of lobes further includes a curved surface connecting the clamp engaging end and the trailing ends.
 5. The torque wrench of claim 4, wherein the curved surface is configured to engage a corresponding rounded surface of an associated one of the plurality of clamps at the radially outermost end.
 6. The torque wrench of claim 5, wherein adjacently disposed trailing ends of adjacent lobes are circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
 7. The torque wrench of claim 5, wherein adjacently disposed clamp engaging ends of adjacent lobes are circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
 8. The torque wrench of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lobes includes: a left side lobe extending from a first trailing end to a first clamp engaging end; and a right side lobe extending from a second trailing end to a second clamp engaging end, the left side lobe and the right side lobe being configured to engage with an associated one of the plurality of clamps.
 9. The torque wrench of claim 8, wherein the first clamp engaging end and the second clamp engaging end are disposed adjacent each other and adjacent a rounded surface of the associated one of the plurality of clamps.
 10. The torque wrench of claim 8, wherein the left side lobe includes a first curved surface configured to engage the rounded surface of the associated one of the plurality of clamps at a radially outermost end when the driver is rotated in the clockwise direction; and the right side lobe includes a second curved surface configured to engage the rounded surface of the associated one of the plurality of clamps at the radially outermost end when the driver is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
 11. The torque wrench of claim 10, wherein the first and the second clamp engaging ends are connected to each other.
 12. An adjustable adapter module for use with a torque wrench, comprising: a driver configured to receive a rotational input from the torque wrench; and a plurality of clamps disposed at least partially inside the driver and moveable to radially engage and lock onto a range of different sized fasteners by rotation of the driver in either of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.
 13. The adjustable adapter module of claim 12, wherein the driver includes a plurality of lobes configured to engage with the plurality of clamps, each of the plurality of lobes including: a clamp engaging end configured to engage with a radially outermost end of one of the clamps; and a pair of trailing ends, the clamp engaging end being located radially further from an axis of rotation than the trailing ends.
 14. The adjustable adapter module of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of lobes further includes a curved surface connecting the clamp engaging end and the trailing ends, and the curved surface is configured to engage a corresponding rounded surface of an associated one of the plurality of clamps at the radially outermost end.
 15. The adjustable adapter module of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of clamps is cuboid, and includes a recess at an end opposite the different sized fasteners; and the adjustable adapter module further includes a plurality of springs, each disposed within the recess of a corresponding one of the plurality of clamps to bias the corresponding one of the plurality of clamps away from the different sized fasteners.
 16. The adjustable adapter module of claim 15, further including a guide having a plurality of radially oriented channels, each of the plurality of radially oriented channels being configured to guide a corresponding one of the plurality of clamps into engagement with the different sized fasteners.
 17. The adjustable adapter module of claim 13, wherein trailing ends of adjacent lobes are circumferentially spaced apart from each other.
 18. The adjustable adapter module of claim 11, further including a plurality of lobes, wherein a left side lobe extends from a first trailing end to a first clamp engaging end; and a right side lobe extends from a second trailing end to a second clamp engaging end, the left side lobe and the right side lobe being configured to engage with an associated one of the plurality of clamps.
 19. A torque assembly, comprising: a wrench; an adjustable adapter module, including: a driver configured to transmit a rotational input received from the wrench to a plurality of integral lobes, each having: a clamp engaging end configured to engage with a radially outermost end of one of the clamps; and a pair of trailing ends, the clamp engaging end being located radially further from an axis of rotation than the trailing ends; and a curved surface connecting the clamp engaging end and the trailing ends; a plurality of clamps disposed at least partially inside the driver and engaged with the curved surfaces of the plurality of integral lobes, the plurality of clamps being moveable to radially engage and lock onto a range of different sized fasteners by rotation of the driver in either of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction; a plurality of springs configured to bias the plurality of clamps away from the different sized fasteners; and a guide having a plurality of radially oriented channels configured to guide the plurality of clamps into engagement with the different sized fasteners; and a retention assembly configured to retain the adjustable adapter module connected to the wrench.
 20. The torque assembly of claim 19, wherein the plurality of lobes includes: a left side lobe extends from a first trailing end to a first clamp engaging end; and a right side lobe extends from a second trailing end to a second clamp engaging end, the left side lobe and the right side lobe being configured to engage with an associated one of the plurality of clamps. 